The countdown to Spain has almost officially begun. Β I’m actually scared to start the real countdown because then it’s REAL. Β Some other real things that happened this past week:

1. My Team USA “kit” (you know the uniform with my name on it!) is on the way to my house as I type. Squeeee!!!

2. I received my Team USA hat and shirt and I’ve been sleeping with them both. Is that weird?

3. I had a kick ass week of training and racing with a little help from my friends.

 

RundownHelpFromFriends

WEEK OF APRIL 21, 2014

RUNNING: I’m still getting a runner’s high from Marathon Monday and Meb and Shalane’s performances. Β How can you not? Β Meb is one of my all time favorite running heroes, and I just love that Shalane is also know as the “pony-tailed assassin.” Β  Can someone think up a badassΒ nickname like that for me? Β In honor of all the runners in Boston last Monday, I ran my own 8-miler with my Boston Marathon shirt from 2007. Β I smiled theΒ whole time. Β My running total this week was only 22 miles, but three of those were in a 5K race!

With that game face, I knew you could do it!

With that game face, I knew you could do it!

CYCLING: Β Once again, because of the miserable spring weather here (read: RAIN!), I was resigned to do all my bike mileage indoors this week. Β This does not make me happy. Β I know I need to bike on wet roads at some point, but I never have, and I’m not going to christen my bike and body when it’s actually pouring outside. Β I’m just not.

I hope to get out for all my mileage this week, maybe even take my spin class outside too! Β Total bike mileage this week was 78, and if I knew how close I was to 80 I would have done two more. Β Darn it!

CROSS-TRAINING: Β I made it in the pool again! Β I had a great pool workout, not to mention a good friend of mine, who is also a swimming coach, swimming instructor and all-around swim guru, happened to be in the pool and gave me some great advice on my stroke. Β Thanks Joel! Β My workout consisted of a 20 lap warm-up, 10×50 with 2 min rest in between sets (and to get feedback from Joel aka swim coach) then 8×25 sprints with 10 second rest in between. Β I’ll let you guess which part of that workout I liked best.

RACING: Sunday was the March of Dimes (Run for Babies) inaugural 5K race! Β The race was fantastic in a way that burning lung pain and churning legs is fantastic. Β It was a very interesting race on a few levels, so I’m going to give it it’s own post later this week. Β I know the suspense is killing you.

All smiles post-race.

All smiles post-race…but, who isn’t when it’s over?

FUEL: I’m happy to report that not only did I get my Runnerbox this week but I also got two bags of Hippie Chick Granola to fuel my training! Β What’s Hippie Chick granola you ask? Β It’s made with love and inspiration by Ilene of Fierce Diva Guide to Life and can be ordered HERE. Β I highly recommend it! Β I also managed to sneak away to the UCONN Dairy Bar with the boys. Β There’s nothing like homemade ice cream straight from the cow.

Miles hates ice cream.

Miles hates ice cream.

THINGS I LOVE: Seeing running groups out on a local trail. Β The last two times I was out running, there has been a group of mostly older men out there tearing it up. Β When I pass them, I like to tell them to “pick it up!” and then they fake give chase or yell up ahead to their friends things like “Don’t let her pass you! Β Hold her down if you need to!” Β Hilarious. Β On one such run, a friend of mine, who also happens to be the women’s track coach at a local high school, was out there in the rain running with her dog. Β I was doing a ladder of 10 min easy, 15 min hard and 5 min all out. Β I was so happy to get her input on my form (very good and relaxed! Β Imagine that!?) when we met up at the parking lot. Β Thanks Dani!

THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH: Chafing! Β Out on the trail on a rainy morning, I had a wardrobe malfunction with my sock, which resulted in the skin on the side of my heel being slowly stripped down to a bloody pulp. Β I could have stopped to pull up my sock but ‘aint nobody got time for that! Β The problem is taking a shower for the next two days. Β The words “searing pain” come to mind.

MUSIC: Listening to music is that much more enjoyable when you’re getting your toes done! Β I was lucky enough to sneak out for a “nail party” this past week with some of my gym friends. Β Those poor technicians had to deal withΒ wayΒ too many runner’s feet! Β We tipped well, especially since we were drinking our way though it.

Can you guess which foot is mine?

IMG_3556

TV: Β I’m happy to report that I’ve had almost zero time for tv this week. Β Instead, I went to a birthday dinner with some good friends on Thursday, had the nail party on Friday and date night with the hubs on Saturday. Β I’ll take any of those over TV any day!

READING: Bowling scores. Β Ever have a bowling party with 14, fiveΒ year-olds? Β I highly recommend it if you want to thoroughly exhaust yourself and constantly be tracking who is up next, making sure no one looses a foot in the process. Β It seemed like a good idea when I booked the party. Β I may have been on a runner’s high.

A Skylander party of course!  At least they agreed on a theme.

A Skylander party of course! At least the boys agreed on a theme.

RANDOM THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Β It’s been decided that I should get a bull tattoo after Spain. Β Thanks Kendra!

[Tweet “What did your friends help you with this week?Β #TeamUSA #tattoos #5K #NoTimeForTV”]

What was theΒ highlight of your week?

What do your friends help you with?

Do you have any tattoos? Β If not, would you ever get one?

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